Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

• Hasti Lotfi ¹
• Alireza Pahlevan Sabagh ²
• Abbas Tabatabaiee ¹
• Mehrnaz Kajbafvala ¹
• Mahdi Ashoori ¹
• Marzieh Yassin ¹

¹ Iranian Center of Excellence in Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment that alters median nerve function at the carpal tunnel level. As a previous study showed, many patients prefer non-surgical treatment. While some shreds of evidence show electroacupuncture can lead to nerve regeneration and functional improvement, the results remain inconclusive. This study aims to explore the impact of electroacupuncture on symptom severity, functional status, pain, and grip strength in patients with mild and moderate CTS.
Methods: The present study is a two-arm parallel-group, double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled superiority trial. The study includes 38 patients diagnosed with CTS who will be assigned to the treatment group, which includes electroacupuncture, and the control group, which includes Sham electroacupuncture for ten sessions twice weekly. Both groups will receive neurodynamic techniques as standard treatment. Symptom severity, functional status, pain, and grip strength will be assessed at baseline, after the fifth session, 48 hours following the tenth session, and two months post-treatment.
Conclusion: The present study will evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture in CTS patients.
Trial registration: This trial was registered at https://www.irct.ir/, (IRCT20191208045652N5) on 7/12/2022.
 
 

Keywords

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
• Neurodynamic Technique (NDT)
• Electroacupuncture (Ele-Acu)
• Symptom Severity
• Functional Status
• Pain
• Grip Strength